Best Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Programs – 2025

Nurses looking to enter advanced practice and interested in a leadership role need look no further than a clinical nurse leader. This type of specialty nurse has vast knowledge in general medicine and acts as a valuable resource to an interdisciplinary team. Those who want to improve patient outcomes and lead a diverse nursing staff will be well-suited for the clinical nurse leader specialty. Luckily, this new yet growing area of nursing can be accessed via programs across the country.

2026 Best MSN Clinical Nurse Leader Programs

Registered Nursing.org has carefully researched and compiled the top Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Clinical Nurse Leader programs across the United States. Our comprehensive rankings highlight exceptional online and distance learning programs that prepare nurses for advanced leadership roles in complex healthcare environments. These virtual programs offer flexibility for working professionals, allowing nurses to advance their careers without disrupting current employment. The best MSN Clinical Nurse Leader programs provide rigorous curriculum that bridges clinical expertise with strategic management skills, enabling graduates to transform patient care delivery and improve healthcare outcomes. Our rankings consider factors like academic reputation, faculty credentials, clinical placement opportunities, and student success rates. Learn more about our ranking methodology.

#1

Montana State University

Bozeman, MT - Public 4-Year - montana.edu

Master's - Master of Nursing (Clinical Nurse Leader)

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Montana State University's Master of Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader program stands out as a transformative hybrid educational pathway designed to cultivate advanced nursing leadership capabilities. Integrating robust online coursework with practical clinical experiences, the 42-credit program prepares nurses for comprehensive healthcare leadership roles. Students develop critical skills in client advocacy, team management, and complex healthcare system analysis. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, advanced health assessment, and pharmacology, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for dynamic healthcare environments. A distinctive professional project requirement allows students to address real-world challenges, while the program's rolling admissions provide flexibility for working professionals. Graduates become eligible for national Clinical Nurse Leader certification, positioning them for impactful roles across diverse healthcare settings.

• 42 credits required.
• Hybrid program format.
• Eligible for CNL certification.
• Rolling admissions basis.
• Focus on leadership skills.
• Includes professional project.
• Advanced health assessment course.
• Advanced pharmacology included.
• Nursing leadership training.
• Client advocacy focus.

#2

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA - Public 4-Year - uiowa.edu

Master's - MSN in Clinical Nurse Leader

Online Learning - Visit Website

The University of Iowa's MSN Clinical Nurse Leader program strategically blends online education with practical experiences, empowering nurses to drive transformative healthcare change. This comprehensive 39-semester-hour curriculum uniquely prepares students for advanced leadership roles across diverse healthcare environments. Utilizing virtual platforms, the program offers flexible learning with local practicum opportunities and mandatory campus visits for orientation and capstone defense. Students develop critical skills in system-wide health promotion, innovative practice transformation, and comprehensive patient care quality improvement. The six-semester program, including a summer session, emphasizes research-driven methodologies and leadership development in complex healthcare systems. Graduates emerge as change agents equipped to elevate nursing practice and patient outcomes.

• 39 semester-hour program.
• Primarily online with local practicum.
• Campus visit for orientation.
• Capstone defense on campus.
• Six semesters plus summer.
• Focus on leadership knowledge.
• Prepares for healthcare leadership.
• Emphasizes transformative thinking.
• Promotes health and care elevation.
• Virtual platforms for engagement.

#3

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, MO - Private 4-year - slu.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Nursing (Clinical Nurse Leader)

Online Learning - Visit Website

Saint Louis University's online Master of Science in Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader program delivers a comprehensive pathway for nursing professionals seeking advanced leadership roles. Designed for working nurses, the five-semester curriculum emphasizes quality improvement, clinical coordination, and patient care management. With 525 total clinical hours, students gain practical expertise across diverse healthcare environments. The program requires a bachelor's in nursing and maintains a competitive 3.0 GPA threshold. Affordable at $1,370 per credit, this nationally ranked program prepares graduates for clinical nurse leader certification through a holistic, flexible learning approach tailored to modern healthcare demands.

• Online part-time format
• 5-semester program length
• $1,370 per credit tuition
• 3.0 undergraduate GPA required
• 525 total clinical hours
• State-of-the-art teaching facilities
• Holistic admission process
• Nationally recognized faculty

#4

University of West Georgia

Carrollton, GA - Public 4-Year - westga.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Nursing

Concentration: Clinical Nurse Leader - Online Learning - Visit Website

The University of West Georgia's online Master of Science in Nursing with a Clinical Nurse Leader concentration represents a cutting-edge educational pathway for nursing professionals seeking advanced leadership skills. CCNE-accredited and meticulously designed, this program enables students to develop sophisticated healthcare competencies through a 100% digital learning environment. Emphasizing evidence-based practice and patient-centered care, the curriculum prepares nurses to navigate complex healthcare systems with strategic insights. Ideal for working professionals, the program offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing students to balance academic pursuits with current clinical responsibilities. Graduates emerge as transformative leaders equipped to drive quality improvements and implement innovative care strategies across diverse healthcare settings.

• 100% Online Delivery
• CCNE Accredited Program
• Clinical Nurse Leader Focus
• Flexible Graduate Nursing Option
• Evidence-Based Practice Curriculum
• Leadership Skills Development

#5

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA - Public 4-Year - pitt.edu

Master's - Clinical Nurse Leader

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Pittsburgh's Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Master's program stands out as a comprehensive hybrid educational pathway designed to cultivate advanced nursing leadership. Through a strategic blend of online and face-to-face instruction, students develop critical skills in evidence-based practice, healthcare quality improvement, and organizational management. The program uniquely prepares nurses to transform patient care across diverse healthcare environments. Students benefit from flexible learning formats that accommodate professional commitments while gaining advanced clinical knowledge. With a focus on leadership development and CNL certification preparation, graduates are positioned to drive innovative healthcare strategies and enhance patient outcomes in complex clinical settings.

• Master's level clinical leadership
• Hybrid learning format
• Prepares for CNL certification
• Evidence-based practice focus
• Flexible clinical experiences
• Leadership and management training
• Pathway to doctoral studies

*National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2023. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Choosing a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Program

Deciding on a clinical nurse leader (CNL) program may seem daunting, but remembering to check schools and programs for the following attributes is a great way to ensure success:

Accreditation

A good clinical nurse leader program will be accredited by local, regional, and/or national accrediting organizations to ensure quality. A few to look for include the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Program Cost

Most clinical nurse leader programs list tuition costs by credit. Students can expect to find tuition costs that range from around $600 to well over $1,000 per credit for both master’s and doctoral-level degrees. Since doctoral, or DNP, programs require more credits, these programs tend to be more expensive than a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Students must also cover the cost of additional fees, textbooks, course materials, and more.

Program Length

Most MSN-level clinical nurse leader programs require around 35 credits, which can typically be completed via part-time or full-time study. Once a student receives their MSN, they can continue to a DNP, which can take another 40 or so credits, depending on the school and program.

Internship/Externship Opportunities

To gain experience, residency programs and other hands-on training can be a valuable part of the clinical nurse leader's preparation. Most schools can help match students with clinical internships and externships, or students can seek them out on their own.

Online/Campus Options

To meet the demands of busy students, many programs offer both online and campus-based clinical nurse leader programs. Some schools will even offer a "hybrid" program, allowing students to take many courses online but also offering classroom-based lectures and labs.

Clinical Nurse Leader Degree Levels Offered

Most CNLs receive their Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN). Upon becoming a clinical nurse leader, some nurses choose to go back to school to complete a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. A bachelor's degree and experience as a professional nurse are usually required in either case.

MSN Programs

The most common choice for a clinical nurse leader, MSN-level programs in the specialty prepares RNs to become advanced-practice generalists, taking courses in pharmacology, pathophysiology, clinical outcomes management, and more. The program also typically requires approximately 400 clinical hours. As an example, LaSalle University in Philadelphia offers a CCNE-accredited MSN Clinical Nurse Leader program.

DNP Programs

While specific clinical nurse leader DNP programs are hard to find, some schools offer bridge programs for MSN-educated clinical nurse leaders to earn a doctoral degree in a related field. For example, the University of South Alabama offers an MSN to DNP Clinical Nurse Leader Bridge to Executive Nursing Administration, designed specifically for CNLs to earn a DNP in executive nursing administration so that they can further their practice.

Learn about post-master’s nurse leadership certificate programs.

Online Clinical Nurse Leader Programs

With technology playing a bigger role in higher education these days, it's no surprise that online clinical nurse leader programs are rising in popularity. Nurses who want to enter advanced practice are typically busy and may have work or family obligations that make completing a traditional classroom program impossible. Luckily, there are a variety of reputable online options available.

Advantages of Online Programs

Many students enjoy the convenience and flexibility that online programs afford, as they can move through the coursework on their own time and at their own pace. Others are grateful for the ability to complete their degree in large part at home, making it ideal for those who may live far away from a university. Unlike campus-based students, online students don't have to factor in the cost of transportation, gas, parking, and other commuting expenses.

Program Accreditation

Like campus-based programs, online clinical nurse leader programs can (and should be) properly accredited. A good online program will typically be CCNE or ACEN accredited.

Costs and Length

Online clinical nurse leader programs require the same amount of credits as classroom programs at around 35 credits, but students usually have the option of moving through the coursework at their own speed, making the total length a variable factor. Tuition for online clinical nurse leader programs is also similar to campus-based programs and can vary widely depending on the student's school of choice. UMass Amherst, for example, charges $750 per credit for their online MSN Clinical Nurse Leader program.

What Are the Admissions and Certification Requirements?

Admissions requirements for most CNL programs include:

• BSN from an accredited school
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• CV or resume
• Two professional letters of reference
• Personal essay
• Copy of current U.S. RN license

Certification as a clinical nurse leader can be obtained through the Association of American Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and has the following requirements:

• Must be licensed as a registered nurse
• Must have graduated from a Master's or post-master’s CNL program

Certification is awarded upon successful completion of the CNL examination. Students in their last term of a CNL education program are eligible to sit for the exam.

List of Clinical Nurse Leader Programs

Clinical nurse leader programs can be found from coast to coast; check out our list to find the right program for you.

Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.